A careless driver was warned she’s “lucky to be alive” after part of a lamppost she crashed into fell through her sunroof and narrowly missed her head.
Lorraine Lobban donned a full disguise – including a change of clothes, wig and dark glasses – when she left court after admitting two offences.
The 62-year-old, who was found smelling of alcohol with an empty vodka bottle in the car, continued to drive after the crash on North Anderson Drive until another driver took her keys.
She admitted to police “I’ve been drink-driving”, but then refused to provide breath samples, arguing there was no point as she knew she was over the limit.
Fiscal depute Victoria Kerr told Aberdeen Sheriff Court a witness who was sitting at traffic lights on North Anderson Drive at 2.50pm on October 25 heard a “loud bang”.
He saw Lobban’s car with “significant frontal damage” and smoke coming from the engine – meanwhile, the lamppost had been knocked over and was lying on the road.
‘She is disgusted and ashamed’
Ms Kerr said: “He saw the accused rejoin the carriageway and continue to King’s Gate.”
The witness followed Lobban’s car for around 300 metres and, when it came to a stop, approached her.
He noticed a smell of alcohol, asked Lobban to turn the engine off and then took her keys and called the police.
When officers arrived they found an empty vodka bottle in the car.
Ms Kerr said: “The entire head of the lamppost was on the passenger seat having been forced through the sunroof during the collision, narrowly missing the accused’s head.”
The officers also noticed the smell of alcohol and Lobban told them: “I’ve been drink-driving.”
After failing a roadside breath test, Lobban was taken to Kittybrewster station to complete the formal test. However, she refused.
Ms Kerr said: “She stated she knew she would be over the prescribed limit and did not see the need to provide breath samples.”
Lobban, of Broomhill Road, Aberdeen, pled guilty to careless driving and refusing, without reasonable excuse, to provide breath samples.
‘Most important issue is public safety’
Defence agent Nadine Dormer said her client had four adult children and had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.
She said: “She recognises the extremely serious nature of these charges and the potential risk posed not only to herself but other members of the public.”
Ms Dormer said Lobban had taken steps to address her “alcohol addiction issues”.
She added: “She is disgusted and ashamed.”
The solicitor passed a letter to the sheriff with information about the circumstances of the offence which was not narrated in court.
Sheriff Ian Wallace said: “The most important issue here is related to public safety.
“I’m told and accept you have taken steps to address your alcohol problem and you should also bare in mind you’re lucky, after this incident, to be alive.”
He banned her from driving for two years and fined her £740.
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